Big Four Construction Hazards: Fall Hazards

1
Big Four Construction HazardsFall Hazards
This material was produced under grant number
46F5-HT03 and modify under grant number
SH-16596-07-60-F-72, both from the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily
reflect the views or policies of the U.S.
Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade
names, commercial products, or organizations
imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
2
Sponsor

• United States Department of Labor
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• OSHA
• Susan Harwood Grant
• SH-16596-07-60-F-72

3
Working Team

• UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
• MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS
• Graduate School of Public Health, Dep. of
  Environmental Health
• Sergio Caporali, Ph.D., CSP Principal
  Investigator
• Lida Orta-Anés, Ph.D., Field Trainer
• Marcilyn Colón Colón, MSc., Training Coordinator
• Harlyn Rivera, Administrative Assistant

4
Working Team

• CONTRACTORS
• Circe E. Niezen, ME, MBA, Training Evaluator,
  PUPR
• Mark Fullen, Ph.D. Candidate, Field Trainer and
  Curriculum Developer, WVU
• Carmen Vázquez, RN, Field Trainer
• Migdalia Ruiz, MS, Field Trainer
• Carlos Ortiz, Ph.D., Online Training
  Administrator, UPR-CPRS-OIRE
• Eliel Melón Ramos Online Training Adm.
  Assistant, UPR-CPRS-OIRE

5
Introduction
The following presentations have been developed
in both Spanish and English for the construction
industry. These presentations focus on the Big
Four Construction Hazards falls, electrical,
caught-in and struck-by. All training
materials will cover the four hazards seen
regularly on construction sites and will focus on
the methods for the recognition and the
prevention of these common hazards.
6
Fall Hazards Overview

• Fall Hazards
• 1. Building Structures
• 2. Exterior Construction Areas
• 3. Scaffolds
• 4. Stairs
• 5. Ladders
• B. Accident Prevention
• 1. Guardrail Systems
• 2. Warning Lines
• 3. Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• 4. Floor Covers

7
Fall Hazards

• Falls are one of the greatest hazards on
  construction sites.
• This program will help you recognize common fall
  hazards.
• The symbols will tell you if the situation in the
  picture is either safe or not safe.

Safe
Not safe
8
Fall Hazards Statistics

• Each year workers die from falls. During the
  year 2006
• Total deaths from falls 809
• 39 more deaths from falls than in 2005
• Deaths in construction 428
• More than 50 of deaths from falls are in
  construction.
• Approximately 14 of all occupational deaths are
  falls.

9
Fall Hazards

• Fall hazards can be found on every construction
  site
• Building structures
• Exterior construction areas
• Scaffolds
• Stairs
• Ladders

10
Building Structures

• Work conditions 6 or more above lower level
  require the use of fall protection
• Unprotected sides,
• edges
• Leading edges
• Excavations
• Walking/working
• surfaces
• Regardless of height, fall protection must be
  used when working above
• Dangerous equipment
• Sharp objects
• Piercing objects

11
Building Structures

• This worker is working 6 above the lower level
  without using fall protection.

12
Building Structures

• When working at a height of 6 above the lower
  level you must use fall protection
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Guardrail systems

13
Building Structures

• When working at a height of 6 above the lower
  level you must use fall protection.
• These workers are not utilizing a personal fall
  arrest system.

14
Building Structures

• Guardrail systems must be maintained when working
  6 above lower level, or when working above
  dangerous equipment and sharp objects.

15
Building Structures

• Damaged or missing guardrails must be fixed
  immediately.
• When materials can be kicked off or pushed out
  and fall on any worker below, toe boards, screens
  and/or netting must be used.

16
Exterior Construction Areas

• Falls from a short distance can result in serious
  injury.
• All workers must be protected from falling onto
  sharp materials or onto dangerous equipment.

17
Exterior Construction Areas

• All open excavations and pier holes must be
  guarded or protected.

18
Scaffolds

• Scaffolds are elevated, temporary work platforms
  
• Supported scaffold
• Guardrail Systems
• Access ladders
• Powered work
• platforms
• The role of the competent person during erection

19
Scaffolds

• Scaffolds are elevated, temporary work platforms
  
• Supported scaffold
• Guardrail Systems
• Access ladders
• Powered work
• platforms
• The role of the competent person during erection

20
Scaffolds

• Scaffold bases must rest on a base plate and a
  mud sill.
• The base plate is designed to level and support
  the scaffold.

21
Scaffolds

• Only work from scaffolds that are properly
  constructed and supported.

22
Scaffolds

• Scaffolds used in stair wells must be properly
  constructed.

23
Scaffolds

• When working on scaffolds 6 above lower level,
  guardrail systems must be installed.

24
Scaffolds

• Never use scaffolds that do not have a proper
  guardrail system installed.

25
Scaffolds

• Scaffold platforms must be fully and properly
  planked.

26
Scaffolds

• Never stack blocks, bricks, or use ladders on top
  of scaffolds for extra height.

27
Scaffolds

• Workers must have a safe way to access the
  scaffold.

28
Scaffolds

• Never use blocks, bricks, walk boards, and other
  unsafe methods to access a scaffold.

29

Scaffolds

• Use only ladders designed for use with scaffolds.
  
• The ladder must be firmly secured to the scaffold.

30
Powered Work Platforms

• Powered platforms include
• man-baskets placed on a forklift,
• aerial lifts, and
• scissor lifts.

31
Powered Work Platforms

• Always make sure you have proper fall protection
  and training before using a powered platform.

32
Powered Work Platforms

• Only use equipment that is designed for lifting
  personnel and suitable for the assigned task.

33
Stairs

• Stairways must have a stair rail along each
  unprotected side or edge.

34
Stairs

• Stairs that have walls on both sides must have at
  least one hand rail on the right-hand side when
  climbing down.

35
Stairs

• Never use stairs that are not complete or unsafe.

36
Ladders

• Ladders must be inspected prior to use.
• Ladders must be kept in a good condition and
  safe location.

37
Ladders

• Do not stand on the top of a ladder.

38
Ladders

• Read labels on ladders for instructions to
  ensure proper use.

39
Ladders

• Always maintain good footing on a step ladder.
• Use the correct size ladder for the work that is
  to be done.

40
Ladders

• Always use the right equipment for the job
• Ladders
• Lifts
• Scaffolds

41
Ladders

• Never straddle or sit on top of a step ladder.

42
Ladders

• An A-Frame ladder must be fully opened and locked
  into position.
• Use ladders only for their designed purpose.

43
Ladders

• Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces to
  prevent accidental movement.

44
Ladders

• Ladders must be positioned at a safe angle to
  avoid potential fall hazards when climbing.
• Extension ladders must extend 3 over the landing
  for safe access.

45
Ladders

• When using a portable ladder for access to an
  upper landing surface, the side rails must extend
  at least 3 above the upper landing surface.

46
Ladders

• Proper use vs. improper application

47
Ladders

• Maintain contact with the ladder using both hands
  to keep a safe grip.
• Face ladder when going up or down.
• Never climb a ladder while carrying any
  materials.

48
Job Made Ladders

• Job made ladders must be properly constructed
• Steps equally spaced
• No missing steps or rungs
• No sharp edges or nails sticking out

49
Job Made Ladders

• Never use a job made ladder that is damaged or
  missing steps.
• Only use a job made ladder that has been properly
  built.

50
Job Made Ladders

• Job made ladders must also be constructed so that
  no nails protrude or sharp edges exist.
• Nails and sharp edges can catch on clothing and
  cause falls.

51
Accident Prevention

• A willing, positive attitude towards safety will
  help make a safer work environment.

52
Preventing Fall Accidents

• Construction work performed at 6 or higher above
  a lower level requires fall protection.
• Some fall protection methods include
• Guardrail systems
• Warning lines
• Fall arrest systems and
• Floor covers

53
Guardrail Systems

• Guardrail systems must have a top rail, a mid
  rail and a toe board.
• The top rail must be at least 42 from the
  working surface.

54
Guardrail Systems

• All guardrail systems must be constructed with a
  top rail and a mid rail.
• The top rail must support 200 lbs. of force
  downward and outward.
• The mid rail must support 150 lbs of force.

55
Guardrail Systems

• Cable guardrails must meet the same rules as wood
  guardrails.
• The top rail must be at least 42 inches high and
  resist up to 200 lbs.

56
Cable Guardrails

• Steel cable guardrails must have the top
  rail flagged every 6 feet.

57
Cable Guardrails

• The clamps used for a steel cable system must
  be placed correctly.

Dead end
U-bolt
Saddle
Dead end
58
Warning Lines

• Warning lines are used to keep workers away
  from an unsafe edge.
• The warning line must be at least 6 away from
  the edge.

59
Warning Lines

• Warning lines must withstand 16 lbs. of tipping
  force.
• The warning line must be at least 34 from the
  ground.

60
Warning Lines

• Warning lines must be maintained.
• Report any unsafe condition to your supervisor.

61
Warning Lines

• Never work in an area if the warning line has
  been knocked down or damaged.

62
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• The fall arrest system components are
• body harness,
• lanyard, and
• anchorage point.

63
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Body harness must be worn properly.
• D-ring must rest between the shoulders and the
  chest strap must be secured.

Chest strap
D-ring
64
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Body harness must be
• inspected before use,
• adjusted to fit the worker, and
• free from other visible damage.

65
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Lanyards must be in good condition and free from
  visible damage.

66
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Lanyard must attach to the D-ring on the body
  harness.

67
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Never anchor or tie off to pipes, wood
  structures, electrical wires, or other areas not
  designed for anchorage points.

68
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• The anchorage point is the place where you tie
  off to or hook to.
• The anchorage point must support the force of a
  person falling.

69
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• A life line is used to allow a worker to stay
  tied off while he moves through the work area.

70
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Workers must always be tied off when working
  with a personal fall arrest system.

71
Floor Covers

• The cover must be marked to make sure everyone
  knows it is a safety device.

72
Floor Covers

• The cover must be marked to make sure everyone
  knows it is a safety device.

73
Floor Covers

• All floor holes where an employee could fall
  through must be covered or guarded.

74
Floor Covers

• Sky-lights are another form of floor holes.
• Never sit, stand, or place any materials on
  sky-lights.

75
Floor Covers

• Pier holes must be guarded or protected.
• Either a guard rail system or floor hole cover
  can be used.

76
Disclaimer/Usage Notes

• Photos shown in this presentation may depict
  situations that are not in compliance with
  applicable OSHA requirements.
• It is not the intent of the content developers to
  provide compliance-based training in this
  presentation, the intent is more to address
  hazard awareness in the construction industry,
  and to recognize the overlapping hazards present
  in many construction workplaces.
• It should NOT be assumed that the suggestions,
  comments, or recommendations contained herein
  constitute a thorough review of the applicable
  standards, nor should discussion of issues or
  concerns be construed as a prioritization of
  hazards or possible controls. Where opinions
  (best practices) have been expressed, it is
  important to remember that safety issues in
  general and construction jobsites specifically
  will require a great deal of site - or
  hazard-specificity - a one size fits all
  approach is not recommended, nor will it likely
  be very effective.
• It is assumed that individuals using this
  presentation, or content, to augment their
  training programs will be qualified to do so,
  and that said presenters will be otherwise
  prepared to answer questions, solve problems, and
  discuss issues with their audiences.

77
Disclaimer/Usage Notes

• No representation is made as to the thoroughness
  of the presentation, nor to the exact methods of
  recommendation to be taken. It is understood that
  site conditions vary constantly, and that the
  developers of this content cannot be held
  responsible for safety problems they did not
  address or could not anticipate, nor those which
  have been discussed herein or during physical
  presentation. It is the responsibility of each
  employer contractor and their employees to comply
  with all pertinent rules and regulations in the
  jurisdiction in which they work. Copies of all
  OSHA regulations are available from your local
  OSHA office. This presentation is intended to
  discuss Federal Regulations only your
  individual State requirements may be more
  stringent.
• As a presenter, you should be prepared to discuss
  all of the potential issues/concerns, or problems
  inherent in those photos particularly.

78
Big Four Construction HazardsFall Hazards
This concludes the Fall Hazards Module THE END